Ibiza begins at the waterline. Morning light ascends over Dalt Vila. The sea turns to glass. And boats idle near the harbour as swimmers slip into the blue, returning for espresso and something flaky. By midday, linen and suncream scent the air and tables lean towards the horizon. Come golden hour, decks fill, rosés chill and the skyline melts into the silver night.
The island was built around the sea, not the other way round. Swim where the water is the clearest or sail out to the Formentera islands for the afternoon. Enjoy lunch over clifftops or take in the sunset from a terrace, with beats that fill the air.
In this guide you’ll find your ideal itinerary for sun-filled days in Ibiza, filled with hotel and restaurant recommendations, experiences you should try and the best way to do it all.
Ibiza by the Day
Ibiza is at its most luminous before breakfast. The light is soft, the water is clear, and the beaches feel almost private.
How to See and What to Do
For your first swim, head north to Cala Xarraca, a rocky cove with bright, glassy shallow waters that are great for an easy snorkel. Everything here is at a leisurely pace, so arrive early, slip into the water and let the day find you.
Cross the island for a second dip at the west coast beach Platges de Comte, where sand-pale islands sit on turquoise water and every angle feels like a postcard. If you prefer a long horizon and a sandy stride, head to the protected Ses Salines Natural Park. It is a beautiful introduction to the island’s marine heart, with dunes, salt flats, and an easy entry into the sea. Save Benirrás for later if you like your evenings with a drumbeat, but in the morning it is calm and clear.
For some serene and quality time by the shore, head to a Blue Flag beach. Ibiza holds seven Blue Flag beaches this summer, with Benirrás, Cala Sant Vicent, Es Figueral, Es Canar, Cala Llenya, Santa Eulària and Des Riu confirmed on the official list. Spain leads the world with 642 Blue Flag beaches in 2025, a detail that speaks to its water standards, services and safety.
To understand Ibiza, take to the water. The classic move is Formentera. Board the fast ferry to La Savina, swim at Illetes or Cala Saona, and return sun-dazed by late afternoon. Baleària advertises departures as often as every half hour with a crossing of about 30 minutes. Prebook and travel light; you will only need swimwear, SPF, and a linen shirt.
For those wanting to capture this moment at sea, securing Ibiza boat party tickets in advance ensures a place on deck for golden-hour sailings, the most stylish way to begin a night in Ibiza.
What to Experience
If you prefer a curated route, Sea Experience curates trips at ideal times like sunset sailings through the Ses Salines Marine Park and toward Es Vedrà, with swim stops and deck time that feel indulgent without the full charter.
Ibiza’s marine zone forms part of the UNESCO property “Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture,” recognised for dense, well preserved marine seagrass – Posidonia Oceanica, that help keep the water clear and store blue carbon.
Sunset is a ceremony. On shore, Café Mambo is the lively front row on the San Antonio strip, a people-watching terrace with the sun set centre-stage. For a slower mood, the cliffside terrace at Hostal La Torre frames the evening with Balearic soundtracks and west-facing views that fade to gold.
Travelling with kids? Meet The Sea blends snorkelling, paddleboarding and gentle ocean education on family and sunset outings. Use mooring buoys where marked and avoid anchoring on seagrass. Treat the meadows as the quiet VIPs of your day. The best part – crews will brief you well, which matters the most in protected waters.
Where to Recuperate
Plan a long, light lunch and an easy glide back to the water. Over Cala Nova, Atzaró Beach serves Mediterranean plates with a relaxed boho mood and daybeds that invite an unhurried afternoon. Book ahead in peak weeks.
For a clifftop setting, Amante sits above Sol d’en Serra with cinematic views and a Mediterranean menu that suits a swim-then-lunch rhythm.
If you want a polished poolside with a shoreline view, the Beach Deck at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay in Talamanca serves from day to dusk and welcomes non-residents. Keep the plates light, the rosé well-chilled, and the afternoon free for another swim.
Wrapping up
End as you began – at the waterline. Swim at first light when the coves are yours. Sail to Formentera for a white-sand interlude, or trace the coast by catamaran and dive over the side when the captain gives the nod. Linger over lunch where the table meets the sea. Save sunset for a terrace or a bow and let the evening unfold from there. Book the highlights, leave space for serendipity and tread lightly.
Spain leads the world for Blue Flag beaches, and Ibiza contributes more than its size suggests; the sea stays clear when visitors travel thoughtfully and crews follow the rules. Plan with care, pack reef-safe SPF, and listen for the island’s cues.
